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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 123422651 - Hta Aerostructures, Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Austin Area Office
Site Address:
Hta Aerostructures, Inc.
2005 Technology Way
San Marcos, TX 78666
Mailing Address:
, , 00000
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:3728
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Complete
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 06/30/1992
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 09/13/1993
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 360559264 | ||
| Referral | 901824680 | Yes |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 20 | 5 | 25 | |||
| Current Violations | 7 | 10 | 17 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $72,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $72,000 |
| Current Penalty | $9,150 | $0 | $0 | $4,800 | $0 | $13,950 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 5A0001 | 10/15/1992 | 10/21/1992 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100023 C01 | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $1,000 | $4,500 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 3. | 01003A | Serious | 19100107 B02 | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $900 | $1,800 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 4. | 01003B | Serious | 19100107 B03 | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 5. | 01004 | Serious | 19100107 B09 | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $1,350 | $1,350 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 6. | 01005 | Serious | 19100120 Q01 | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 7. | 01006A | Serious | 19100120 Q03 IV | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 8. | 01006B | Serious | 19100134 B03 | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 9. | 01006C | Serious | 19100134 E03 II | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 10. | 01007A | Serious | 19100120 Q03 VI | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 11. | 01007B | Serious | 19100134 E03 I | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 12. | 01008 | Serious | 19100120 Q06 III | 10/15/1992 | 11/03/1992 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 13. | 01009 | Serious | 19100134 B08 | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 14. | 01010 | Serious | 19100134 E03 | 10/15/1992 | 11/03/1992 | $1,000 | $4,500 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 15. | 01011A | Serious | 19100134 F02 II | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $1,000 | $1,350 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 16. | 01011B | Serious | 19100134 F02 III | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 17. | 01011C | Serious | 19100134 F02 IV | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 18. | 01012 | Serious | 19100145 C03 | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $3,000 | $4,500 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 19. | 01013 | Other | 19100147 C04 II | 10/15/1992 | 11/03/1992 | $500 | $4,500 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 20. | 01014 | Serious | 19100147 C07 I | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 21. | 01015 | Other | 19100215 B09 | 10/15/1992 | 10/20/1992 | $1,200 | $1,800 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 22. | 01016A | Other | 19100253 B02 II | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $500 | $1,350 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 23. | 01016B | Other | 19100253 B02 IV | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 24. | 01017 | Serious | 19101030 C01 I | 10/15/1992 | 11/25/1992 | $1,125 | $4,500 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 25. | 01018 | Serious | 19101030 G02 I | 10/15/1992 | 12/03/1992 | $1,125 | $4,500 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 26. | 01019A | Other | 19101200 F05 I | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $350 | $1,350 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 27. | 01019B | Other | 19101200 F05 II | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 28. | 01020 | Other | 19101200 H01 | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $2,250 | $4,500 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 29. | 02001 | Other | 19100020 G01 I | 10/15/1992 | 11/03/1992 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 30. | 02002 | Other | 19100020 G01 II | 10/15/1992 | 11/03/1992 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 31. | 02003 | Other | 19100020 G01 III | 10/15/1992 | 11/03/1992 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 32. | 02004 | Other | 19100022 D01 | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 33. | 02005 | Other | 19100134 B11 | 10/15/1992 | 10/27/1992 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/05/1992 | F - Formal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
On June 5, 1992, a leak was detected on the top of the high vacuum valve of a diffusion pump. The furnace system became back-filled with argon to atmospheric conditions. On June 8, 1992, Employees #1 and #2, maintenance personnel, were repairing the leak. Employee #1 climbed on the diffusion pump to clean the vacuum valve seat, which is about 32 in. below the flange opening. (The diffusion pump is 35 in. in diameter and 9 ft tall.) Employee #2 was on the ground cleaning parts. After approximately 10 minutes, Employee #2 climbed to the platform to get a bottle of isopropyl alcohol. He noticed that Employee #1 was inside the diffusion pump, overcome. Employee #2 called for help and then climbed inside the diffusion pump without a respirator or rescue equipment. He was also overcome. Employees #1 and #2 were asphyxiated and required hospitalization. Employee #1 died on June 10, 1992. The bottom lid of the furnace had not been dropped to dissipate the argon.
Keywords: LEAK, ASPHYXIATED, REPAIR, CONFINED SPACE, TOXIC ATMOSPHERE, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, SCBA, PUMP, ARGON
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 123422651 | Fatality | Asphyxia | Occupation not reported | ||
| 2 | 123422651 | Hospitalized injury | Asphyxia | Occupation not reported |